Food | Photography | Lifestyle | Travel

Maggie Joan’s Expanded Lunch Menu

Named after the two grandmothers of co-owner Daniel Ballis, Maggie Joan’s is a year old Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with its entrance located in the alleyway behind Amoy Street (Gemmill Lane). With a hidden, nondescript entrance, one might find it difficult to locate the restaurant if you are visiting it for the first time, but trust me, it will all be worth it once you step in.

Be greeted with a cosy dining area complete with edgy industrial décor upon entering the restaurant. The restaurant features an open kitchen and bar as well, so you can watch the chef whip up contemporary Mediterranean food while waiting for your food to arrive.

The restaurant has expanded its lunch menu and we had the chance to try the new dishes. And boy, I must say that I really enjoyed the food here. Read on to see what we had during our visit to Maggie Joan’s.

Cheese, arancini & tomato chutney ($9) – Risotto mixed with four cheese blend (gorgonzola, epoisse, langres and ricotta) and a touch of truffle oil; rolled into balls before coating with bread crumbs and then deep-fried. Served with tomato chutney (made using Roma tomatoes) and topped with shredded parmigiano reggiano. The arancini hit all right spots with a crisp exterior and a creamy, cheesy, gooey interior with slight tanginess from the tomato chutney. It is like party in my mouth! So good!

The starters that we have tried are good but the mains even better! Like the homemade pappardelle, lamb ragu and parmigiano reggiano ($26). NZ lamb shoulder roasted for 12-hours till fork tender and flavourful, then tossed with al-dente house-made pappardelle, sourdough croutons and topped with shredded parmigiano reggiano. Every component in this dish complemented one another well and I enjoyed this pasta dish very much.

Fried chicken sandwich, green harissa coleslaw & pecorino ($18) – Definitely one of the best chicken sandwich I’ve eaten. Seeing sandwich in a different light now cause usually I will shun away from ordering sandwich unless my dining partner(s) order to share. This is really good! The panko-crusted fried chicken fillet is crispy on the outside, tender and juicy within. The green harissa coleslaw and pecornio cheese add depth and fiery kick to the sandwich. Squeeze a few drops of burnt lime on the sandwich for added tang.

Be sure to order their Hand-Cut Chips ($9) to go along with your sandwich/meal. The chips are triple cooked – first steamed at 100C, then blanched in oil at 100C and lastly, deep-fried at 200C. The result? Golden-brown chunky chips sprinkled with rosemary salt that are crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. Served with ricotta dip at the side.So so so so good that I can finish the chips all by myself. Well, I almost did. Sorry not sorry.

The best way to end a great meal? With an equally good dessert! We had the Dessert of the Day ($10, rotates weekly) – a Dark Chocolate Tart consisting of 65% dark chocolate ganache lined with salted peanut paste. Served with a dollop of crème fraiche at the side.

Social Media

Contact

For inquiries on collaborations and advertising opportunities with Alainlicious, please write in to: hello@alainlicious.com

Catergories

Catergories

All postings are based on Alainlicious personal opinion and are accurate at the time of publishing.
No part of this website or any of its contents including images may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without Alainlicious consent.